Baby Wells and family

When dreaming of creating a family, you have so many thoughts of what it will be like. Who will your children look like? What will their personalities be like? Who will they grow up to be? You dream of creating memories, all the first moments, and so much happiness. Your children become your life, your whole heart, all of your world. Your children are your everything.

Emily and Justin dreamed of creating their family and what that would look like. Their little girl, Elsie, was born in 2020. The Stringfellows were so excited to grow their family and give Elsie a sibling. When they found out they were having a little boy in 2023, they were over the moon. Elsie couldn’t wait to be a big sister!

Wells Jackson Stringfellow - the most beautiful little boy. Who would he become? A fighter from the start. He was ready to show the world how strong he was going to be and how much he was willing to fight.

On July 29th, 2023, Emily’s water broke at 3:45 am. Justin rushed her to the hospital after the contractions started. Baby Wells entered the world at 8:17 am weighing 7 lbs 13.6 oz and measuring 20 inches. After going full term with no issues, everything that happened after this was unexpected to say the least.

After having some difficulty breathing most likely from the inhalation of amniotic fluid, Wells was taken to the NICU for support. He was placed on CPAP for a few hours, but eventually moved to high flow oxygen due to needing respiratory support. He was also very tachypneic. Over the next few days he was monitored and eventually weaned down to room air. He was then able to room-in with mom and dad for a day and a half, but the next morning his sats weren’t showing the improvements they were expecting so he was taken back to NICU. This was devastating as Emily and Justin thought this was a step closer to taking him home.

Wells’ doctor ordered an echocardiogram of his heart at this point. With inconclusive findings, it was decided that he need to be transferred to TCT Children’s hospital for more evaluating and imaging. Once there, baby Wells had another echo as well as a CTA of his chest. Between these, the cardiologist and neonatal specialist determined that there was pulmonary stenosis, the aorta isn’t shaped the way it should be, and some abnormalities of the pulmonary veins. Additionally they saw fractures of his left clavicle, right scapula and multiple ribs most likely from birth trauma.

From here they were transferred to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital at 7 days old. Mom and dad were under the impression that they’d be going for more imaging, to fix the pulmonary stenosis, and possibly open chest surgery. However, this is when everything took a different path.

The first thing they did was a repeat CTA chest. On this scan they found that the aorta was in fact shaped differently, but also that he had some degree of tortuosity in some major arteries. One of the possibilities is Arterial Tortuosity Syndrome (ATS) which the doctors at Vanderbilt have never diagnosed themselves. Luckily this means Wells doesn’t need surgery at this moment, but it means more testing and genetics is now involved.

Currently they are awaiting results from a CTA abdomen/pelvis scan as well as an MRA of his head/neck. These reports should be back today (8/8/23). Some of the genetic testing has already been sent off, but the rest will have to be done in an outpatient setting. These results could take 2-4 weeks to come back and more testing may be needed.

Wells will also have to have follow up visits with cardiology and orthopedics hopefully in Chattanooga, and genetic follow ups will be in Nashville.

Emily and Justin have navigated through so much uncertainty the past 11 days. The emotional turmoil and all of the unknowns have been overwhelming. They are asking for prayers for their little boy. He needs miraculous healing. Keep them and their little girl in your prayers as they continue to process what’s to come. Continue to pray for the test results to be the best outcome possible.

As they become equipped with what’s needed for them to leave Vanderbilt, Emily and Justin’s hope is to have some time at home with baby Wells before returning to work. These first days as a family of 4 have been more than chaotic and they’d love to be home to cherish some time together. Justin is a firefighter and has already used his PTO. He’s been gifted PTO from other firefighters to make it through this stay at Vanderbilt. Emily is to return to work in a few short weeks. As you can imagine, this is not how they wanted to experience maternity or paternity leave.

The money raised will allow them to enjoy time together as a family without stressing over bills. There are going to be many visits to specialists, commutes to Vanderbilt from Chattanooga, copays, and genetic testing not covered by insurance. They will be more expenses to come, but they will be determined by the genetic testing results, CTA results, and MRI results.

If you would prefer to give straight to Emily - her venmo is @EmStringfellow

Your generosity is beyond appreciated. This will help them in so many ways to be able to care for Wells. Most importantly, please continue to pray for this family and healing for baby Wells. Thank you so much for taking time to read their story and considering being part of their journey as a family. It is difficult to ask for, but this is the best way to help them at this time.

Please share their story. We cannot tell you how much we appreciate all the love and support shown to the Stringfellows during this time.